Dear Karen,
My Mum was given very little help and most of it was for her rheumatoid arthritis or her deafness, physical disabilites rather than dementia. The social worker didn't think she needed any help, because she was able to get out of bed, wash and dress herself and prepare hot drinks and food in the microwave.
Getting muddled up with medication, confusing day and night and having frightening hallucinations, didn't count as problems. If there is a relative somewhere on the scene, then the social services will try to avoid giving any help, even when there is a crisis situation.
Kayla